It is already June! Pastor Bob and I have been talking about the importance of camp and as a congregation, you have been very generous towards helping send our children to camp. So, we thought you might like to know more about the program. This summer it’s time to learn about “Living in the Spirit!” together. Through fun active time outside in God’s creation and sharing in small groups and worship, campers and staff will feel inspired by the power of the Holy Spirit – learn from it, grow from it and find passion for changing the world as Jesus’ followers.
The Cal-Pac Conference camps have the same summer camp theme. This creates unity and makes campers more comfortable if they need to attend a different site due to schedule conflicts. There are three southern CA sites with Elementary, Jr. High and Sr. High age level camps this summer. Campers can start attending as young as first grade and go throughout high school. In addition to the age level camps, there are also specialty camps offered including Surf Camp, Backpacking Camp, Adventure Camp, Film Camp, and Creation Camp. A week of camp is about $400.
PB UMC campers generally attend Camp Cedar Glen which is in Julian, CA. This summer we have campers signed up for all three weeks of age level camps. We also have folks from PB UMC serving as volunteer leaders and counselors at Elementary and Jr. High Camps, including Pastor Bob and myself! The camps run for 3 weeks back to back starting on Sunday, July 5 running through Saturday, July 25. Please pray for camp and our campers each of those days in July. If you would like to send a note to PB campers to let them know you are thinking of them, please speak to me.
Camp Cedar Glen has a variety of cabins, but they all have indoor plumbing, electricity and bunk beds. The Camp Leadership team assigns cabins and groups. Campers are under adult supervision at all times and have a schedule, but the schedule has lots of time for fun. A day in the life of a camper usually includes, but is not limited to: morning devotion, breakfast, cabin clean-up, worship, small “family” group discussion and activities, outdoor fun (hiking, climbing, archery, swimming, sports), crafts or science fun, social activities, quiet time, rest time, campfire, evening devotion, etc.
I started to list some of the reasons I think church camp is so important. But, the list got out of hand. Most of all, it is CHURCH camp. Campers live together in Christian community learning and sharing about their faith for 137 hours. (Yes, there may be some sleeping hours in there.) Each week of camp is unique which adds to the excitement, but the reason I love being a camp leader is camp does change lives. I have asked my Sunday School class at various times over the years, where or when is a time when they have felt God’s presence. There is always at least one that will say at church camp.
If you have a child, grandchild, other relative, or friend who would benefit from camp and you would like more information to get them signed up or you would like information on one of the specialty camps, or would even like to apply to be an adult volunteer, we have a few brochures or you can find information online at: www.calpaccamps.org.
